Page 34 of Married to the Icy Duke
Of course, there was still time for the duke to back out of the betrothal. He didn’t strike her as the type of man who would balk at jilting a woman if it was necessary.
But then, whatdidshe know about him? How could she know what sort of man he was?
Madame Blanc launched into a stream of congratulations, shifting seamlessly to a promotion of the latest style of wedding gowns in Paris and Italy. As if moving on some unspoken signal, a handful of black-gowned assistants came silently out of the wings, offering magazines containing sketches of the latest styles. Out of the corner of her eye, Charlotte saw an assistant offer a cup of tea to Mary and a small bowl of candied fruits to Tommy. He accepted them with delight.
Isaac grunted when a woman tried to present him with a magazine.
“It’s not my concern what she wears,” he responded shortly, looking at no one in particular. “I’ve no eye for fashion. She canwear what she likes. Order what you like, Charlotte, and put it on my account.”
“Are … Are you sure?” Charlotte managed, her voice sounding very thin and a little weak, bouncing off the endless carpets and velvet drapes. “Some of these fabrics and styles are extremely expensive. And when you consider the extras that are needed for a wedding, well …”
“Do you think I cannot afford it?” Isaac interrupted, glancing at her for the first time. His gaze seemed to seize her, drawing her in so that she could not look away. “I will not have the tonsaying that I cannot afford to clothe my bride. Buy what you like.”
Charlotte swallowed, nodding. When she glanced up at Madame, the woman’s eyes were alight with glee. No doubt she smelled a fine sale on the horizon. She was probably right.
“In that case,” Madame continued, “I shall make my own recommendation. You may take it if you like, but I can assure you …”
“I don’t want what isfashionable,” Isaac suddenly said, rising to his feet. “By that, I mean I don’t want her to wear what everybody else is wearing. I want her to look different. Special.”
There was a faint silence after this. Charlotte stared at him, brow furrowed.
Is this a compliment, or an insult?
The only one who seemed to understand Isaac’s meaning was Madame. She broke into a slow smile, glancing between them with wonder, as if seeing something she hadn’t spotted before.
“Say no more,” she responded quietly. “I can assure you, your Grace, and you, Lady Charlotte, thateveryonewill be talking about your wedding gown. And for theright reasons. Now, may I suggest …”
Charlotte sat back against the plush sofa, a little breathless.
What was she to make of that interaction? Isaac had not come down to breakfast. the first time she had seen him since last night was when they all climbed into the carriage together to head to the modiste.
The memory of his lips against hers, firm and warm and soft, had worked its way into her dreams. She could still recall how hot his body had felt against hers, as if he were burning up from the inside. It was a decided counterpoint to the coolness of his fingers, brushing against the side of her neck and chin.
She could feel the pressure of his fingertips even now and shivered.
He kissed me.Hekissedme. What does it mean? Why did he do it? I know that men have … haveurges. Perhaps I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time?
But no, that made little sense. They had just had the strangest conversation, half argument, half … well, half something else. And then he had come closer and closer, and Charlotte hadwantedhim closer. Then he kissed her, and it seemed as though the world had dropped out from underneath her feet.
When Sybella interrupted them, Charlotte felt the most unkind rush of dislike towards the woman. The interruption wasn’t deliberate, to be sure. Even if itweredeliberate, she was no doubt concerned with Charlotte’s reputation.
What’s left of it, at least.
She was not sure what to make of Isaac’s silence. He hadn’t mentioned the kiss—not that they had had opportunity—and had barely even addressed her at all. He seemed to be ignoring her existence entirely.
Was that unreasonable? After all, she was the one who had insisted that their marriage should be cold and bloodless, with no touch at all.
And he agreed,she reminded herself.He agreed at once, without thinking twice.
There was something unsatisfactory about this. Hehadagreed easily. But that was what she had wanted, wasn’t it?
If he truly does not desire me at all, why did he kiss me?
Charlotte gave herself a little shake, realizing that Madame was addressing her directly, and now stared at her expectantly, waiting for a reply.
“I beg your pardon?” she managed.
Madame smiled, entirely unconcerned. “What do you think of this style, my lady?”
